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NAFTA Countries To Adopt IPPC Standard in 2003

This document originally appeared at: http://www.palletenterprise.com/pests/phyto_news_update.asp

Due to procedural hoops and delays, the U.S. government will push back the adoption of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standard for non-manufactured wood packaging (both hardwood and softwood) until August or September of 2003. The U.S. Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) had intended on formally adopting the standard by mid-summer. The delay will not impact the decision to implement the IPPC standard; instead it will just give industry a couple of extra months to comply.

Currently, the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) is reviewing the U.S. plan to implement the IPPC standard. OMB has 60 days to finish its review. The extent of the delay will likely depend on how long OMB holds the program for review.

The proposed U.S. program calls for a special relationship with Canada while Mexico will be treated like any other country. The similarity between the United States and Canada in their forest ecosystems, pest structures and quarantine procedures has led to this exception. Non-manufactured wood packaging originating in either country will not have to be marked or treated in accordance with the IPPC standard to flow freely across the border. Shipments destined for other countries should be marked or treated.

The Canadian and U.S. governments are coordinating the implementation of the IPPC program while Mexico appears to be lagging somewhat behind its NAFTA neighbors.

EU Likely to Adopt IPPC Standard This Summer

The European Union (EU) has indicated that will likely adopt the IPPC phytosanitary standard for non-manufactured wood packaging this summer. The EU has yet to send official notification of its plans. According to David Lamb of the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the EU likely will offer a grace period similar to what it did when the EU issued the emergency regulations for coniferous wood packaging.

Although the EU has set this summer as a target date for adoption, EU officials have not established firm deadlines or implementation schedules yet. Depending on what the EU decides to do with its implementation of the standard, packaging headed to Europe may need to be IPPC compliant by the fall or winter 2003.

China continues to regulate coniferous wood packaging material by requiring heat treatment and paper-based certification. China has indicated a general support for the IPPC standard. But it remains to be seen if and when China will implement the IPPC standard or a variation of it.

Recently, Argentina has begun to crack down on shipments. According to APHIS, Argentina wants a shipper declaration with customs documentation that wood packaging is bark free and pest free.

Your compliance timetable depends on your customers and where they send their packaging. It all depends on when the momentum builds for compliance. As the EU, North America and other industrialized markets move to implement the standard, many packaging users will apply increased pressure on suppliers to only provide them with certified packaging. The standard does not set implementation deadlines and leaves it up to the member countries to require compliance. Plus, not every country belongs to the IPPC. For example, China is not a member at this time. At the time of publication, China’s government officials have committed to adopting the IPPC standard in the near future.

APHIS And NWPCA Collaborate On Fumigation Program

The NWPCA and APHIS are in the final stages of working out a certification program for fumigation. The NWPCA has opened the program up to the industry, not just its members. For the most part, the fumigation program will be similar to the heat treatment program. There are a few notable differences, for example, the fumigation mark can only be applied to assembled packaging not component parts. Despite plans to phase out the use of methyl bromide due to environmental concerns, it will continue to be available for quarantine applications such as the treatment of wood packaging. Your inspection agency and trade associations, such as the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association, can provide more complete consultation services.